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Keeping you informed
The CLA's President and advisers share their views on the latest rural developments. Their views can be hard-hitting and may reflect their personal experience and opinions rather than the CLA’s official policy.
CLA members and visitors are invited to post comments in response. We reserve the right to edit material.
 Wheat Treat?
The grain (wheat) market is behaving in a fairly dramatic way. We’re witnessing the biggest rise in wheat prices in one month since the great grain robbery in the early 1970s!
[Blogs/Allan Buckwell] - [5 August 2010]
There’s still more cider in the West!
Have you tried an Orchard Pig recently? I have and it was excellent. So were Thatcher’s Gold and Stewley Orchard.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [4 June 2010]
Team Talk
When I met with the new Defra ministers I found it encouraging to have a team that really does understand farming and rural issues.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [1 June 2010]
 Sold A Pup!
Adrian Gane and his dog Zulu muse on changes to Capital Gains Tax.
[Blogs/Adrian Gane] - [24 May 2010]
 A new champion for forestryby William Worsley, CLA President
CLA William Worsley writes of a visit by new Forestry Commission Chair Pam Warhurst
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [18 May 2010]
 Best-laid plans o' mice an' men gang aft agley
Just as I settled down at my computer in our sun-filled office to begin this blog, I saw a mouse scurry across the floor. I feel sure he was a field mouse and perhaps our building is the only place in London a little country mouse could truly feel at...
[Blogs/Richella Logan] - [22 April 2010]
The phwoar factor in the fly-tip
Fly-tipping is one of the banes of landowner’s lives. I suffered at the weekend, when someone tipped a huge pile of rubbish right in front of the gate to one of my woods. Not by the side of the gate but right in front of it, so no one could get...
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [21 April 2010]
The Parliamentary wash-up is a wash out for rural broadband
And so at last the election has been called and the long-anticipated campaign can begin in earnest. But, before MPs depart Westminster for the door-stepping days ahead, there is the obligatory parliamentary wash-up process. This entails a certain amount...
[Blogs/Richella Logan] - [8 April 2010]
Getting set for the Game Fair
Although there was no sign of the arrival of spring when I met the CLA Game Fair management team at Ragley Hall, the site is in a truly magical setting and it will make for a wonderful game fair. The showground will be wrapped around the Hall in gently...
[Blogs/Harry Cotterell] - [7 April 2010]
Understanding the Foresight Report
I recently read through the "Land Use Futures" report by Foresight on the challenges and opportunities for land use over the next 50 years.
[Blogs/Christopher Price] - [24 March 2010]
TFA AGM
On Tuesday I addressed the Annual General Meeting of the TFA at the Farmers Club and I have to say that I much enjoyed myself. Following my short speech we had a most useful exchange of views and I was particularly interested in the constructive...
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [12 March 2010]
 GOING TO THE DOGS
You may have seen that the Government is planning on making insurance compulsory for all dogs on account of a few dangerous breeds kept by criminals. So yet again the majority end up having to pay for the sins of the very few. What nonsense!
[Blogs/Adrian Gane] - [9 March 2010]
 Stealing ahead of rural crime
Whilst there continue to be stories of police inaction in rural areas, all credit is due to West Berkshire Police who, in conjunction with the CLA, held a rural crime seminar last week that gathered all interested parties together.
[Blogs/Adrian Gane] - [2 March 2010]
 CUT THE VAT COALITION
The Cut The VAT Coalition hopes to persuade the Government to cut VAT to 5 per cent on housing repairs and improvements.
[Blogs/Harry Cotterell] - [25 February 2010]
Large-scale dairying in Britain
Farmers David Barnes and Peter Willes already manage two of Britain’s largest dairy enterprises. I was fascinated to visit Barnes’ unit recently in which he milks 1,900 cows. It’s a low profile, yet astonishing achievement.
[Blogs/Allan Buckwell] - [17 February 2010]
On tour
I have just returned from a very interesting and instructive two-day visit to the West Midlands, where I met a large number of farmers and landowners.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [11 February 2010]
A Day in the Hills
On Tuesday I had an early start to get up to Wildboarclough in Cheshire, on the edge of the Peak District, for the launch of the Uplands Entry Level Scheme.
[Blogs/Harry Cotterell] - [10 February 2010]
In the dog house
I thought my dog looked guilty over the weekend - well, even more so than usual. Apparently domestic pets are the latest contributors to global warming - a large pooch may be responsible for up to a ton of greenhouse emissions each year. That's the same...
[Blogs/Adrian Gane] - [8 February 2010]
 Goldie Oldie
Congratulations to CLA member Lady Caroline Cranbrook who has been named Oldie Campaigner of the Year in the annual Oldie magazine awards.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [29 January 2010]
 BT blues by Adrian Gane
After three weeks, 20 calls and hours of being left on hold, British Telecom finally repaired my snow-tripped telephone line. Not that I have noticed the difference very much!
[Blogs/Adrian Gane] - [29 January 2010]
Food to get your teeth into
I was delighted by the announcement last week that the Government is to introduce a supermarket ombudsman.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [22 January 2010]
The First Month
Completing my first month as President of the CLA gives me an opportunity to reflect - it certainly has been busy.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [17 December 2009]
Get your maps back
Members continue to be concerned about the administration of the Single Payment Scheme so earlier this afternoon I met with Jim Fitzpatrick MP Minister for Food, Farming and the Environment and RPA Head Tony Cooper to see how they are getting on.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [8 December 2009]
Campaign makes steady progress
This morning I chaired the Steering Group for the Campaign for the Farmed Environment at CLA Headquarters, Belgrave Square and was very encouraged by the progress of the Campaign to date.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [8 December 2009]
 Let’s get deer management out of a rut
One of my first jobs as President was to today launch the Deer Initiative’s Best Practice Guidance here in Belgrave Square.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [2 December 2009]
 Blogging on!
It is a great honour to be elected President of the CLA - and I am looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into the difficult issues.
[Blogs/William Worsley] - [20 November 2009]
 Blogging Off!
Sadly this will be my last blog as CLA President – it’s time I was put out to grass!
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [12 November 2009]
 Campaign for the Farmed Environment launched with a bang
The long awaited launch of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment took place at NFU President Peter Kendall’s farm in Bedfordshire today (5 Nov). A stellar array of heavy weights from the farming, land management and environment world stood on a...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [6 November 2009]
 Lamb gets the chop?
There has been much discussion in the papers this week about Lord Stern’s interview with The Times in which he was quoted saying that people should “give up meat to save the planet”.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [30 October 2009]
Happy Birthday, DECC!
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) held its first Anniversary Stakeholder Reception at the QEII Centre on Wednesday (21 October 2009).
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [28 October 2009]
 Going off with a bang!
Last week the partners of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment met formally for the first time to agree the way forward for the Campaign. The Steering Group was lead by the Presidents of the CLA and NFU and the majority of the proposed actions that...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [2 October 2009]
 ‘Drink a pint of milk a day’ – before it all goes away!
Temperatures in the last few days tell me summer is drawing to a close. What summer you may ask? Well the harvest is mostly in, reports of quantity and quality are mixed but prices are dire. We talk of ‘up horn down corn’ but milk prices are...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [18 September 2009]
 All the fun of The CLA Game Fair
Walking round The CLA Game Fair at Belvoir this year I was struck by the contentment of the people there - whether exhibitors or visitors. The general conversation was about the attractiveness and scale of the site rather than traffic hold ups or crowded...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [3 August 2009]
 Benn backs voluntary Campaign
Secretary of State Hilary Benn today (Thursday, 9 July 2009) at the Royal Show accepted the CLA’s idea of an industry-led voluntary approach to targeted on-farm environmental management – the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) to...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [9 July 2009]
 Cereals for Breakfast
Despite a damp start and rain on and off during the day, the aisles at the annual Cereals event this year, at Wendy near Royston in Cambridgeshire, were once again packed with farmers.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [16 June 2009]
 Seeing the Wood for the Trees
On Wednesday I was delighted to launch the CLA’s ground-breaking report Seeing the Wood for the Trees which sets out our vision for the forests and woods of England and Wales.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [5 June 2009]
Market Trading
Last Tuesday the CLA held a seminar at Smith & Williamson in the City of London to debate our visionary paper Private Solutions To Public Problems: Developing Environmental Markets.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [22 May 2009]
 Sea change on coastal access
If you had asked me at the beginning of the year what I had hoped to achieve in 2009, securing an independent right of appeal against the imposition of a coastal footpath across private land would have been at the top of my list. I was, therefore,...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [30 April 2009]
 A great victory
It was five years in the making, but last week the hard work finally paid off when the Government published a consultation paper proposing reforms to the Animals Act 1971.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [8 April 2009]
 Blogging from Brussels
On Thursday I joined 400 landowners, farmers, economists, politicians and journalists for the second ELO/Syngenta Forum for the Future of Agriculture held in the beautifully restored 100 year old Solvay Library, just a stone’s throw from the...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [20 March 2009]
Question Time
Last week Professor Allan Buckwell and I gave evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry, ‘Securing food supplies up to 2050: the challenges for the UK’.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [9 March 2009]
Is protectionism right for food?
The global financial crisis and recession-verging-on-depression are deeply undermining confidence in some concepts which have been cornerstones of economic thinking and policy since the end of the Second World War. Particularly vulnerable seems to be...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [23 February 2009]
 Set-aside solution
You may have read in the farming press recently about the difficulties Sir Don Curry’s High Level Set-aside Group has had in finding a workable solution to counter the perceived loss of environmental benefit from set-aside. The measure that the...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [10 February 2009]
 China in Your Hand
This week the CLA played host to a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) headed up by Vice-Minister Mr Chen Xiaohua.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [16 January 2009]
 Sowing the seeds of change
New Year is a time when most people make resolutions, typically to eat less, drink less and spend less.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [8 January 2009]
 The Ghost of Christmas Past
With Christmas just around the corner, now is a good time for me to reflect on the CLA’s achievements over the last 12 months. Since you last tucked into a feast of turkey and brussel sprouts the CLA has been lobbying hard on your behalf.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [22 December 2008]
 Winners and losers
As expected there was much discussion last week about the Pre-Budget Report. Newspapers have been frantically trying to determine the likely winners and losers.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [3 December 2008]
 Waiting Game
Earlier this week CLA North East Chairman Annabelle Morshead and I presented Secretary of State Hilary Benn with a petition of more than 2,000 signatures against the implementation of electronic sheep tagging (EID).
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [28 November 2008]
 Please pay up !
With cashflow tighter than ever, now is the time when local food suppliers need those invoices paid on time
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [24 November 2008]
At this time of economic uncertainty.........
......of course buying local makes sense !
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [24 November 2008]
Boost needed for rural business
In April 2008 the Government quietly introduced a change to empty property rates following Sir Michael Lyon’s Review of local government finance. Previously there was 100 percent exemption for the first three months of unoccupation, and 50 percent...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [20 November 2008]
Mixed Messages
I was disappointed to hear this week that farmers are yet again being blamed for the decreasing numbers of farmland birds. Despite 20 years of participation in voluntary agri-environment schemes and almost six million hectares of land in management...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [10 November 2008]
 Hope springs eternal
Nine years ago I visited the RSPB’s Hope Farm with the then CLA President Mark Hudson. Recently I was invited to return and see how things had changed.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [22 October 2008]
 Turning up the heat on climate change
This week the Committee on Climate Change advised the Government to adopt the ambitious target of reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050, propelling the UK to the forefront of international action in tackling climate...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [15 October 2008]
Changing the way we eat
From the restaurant to ready made meals
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [15 October 2008]
 Government at sea over coastal access
The Government’s refusal to accept two parliamentary committees’ views on coastal access, thereby denying landowners an independent right of appeal against an unsuitable access corridor being imposed over their land has, I am sure, left you...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [1 October 2008]
Buy British ?
It's not exactly rocket science is it.........
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [26 September 2008]
 Do the genes fit?
I have been following the genetic modification (GM) debate in the pages of Land & Business with interest. It is hard to imagine another current issue where such strong opposing views are held.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [18 September 2008]
Another wet summer
What I did on my summer holidays....
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [11 September 2008]
 Back to Business
As ministers return to their desks in Whitehall and the party conference season begins, the CLA is focusing anew on unfinished business.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [4 September 2008]
 Jolly Good Show
A week has passed since the CLA Game Fair at Blenheim, allowing time to reflect on what was undoubtedly an extraordinary event. Over the three days, a record 151,000 people strolled round nearly 1,000 trade stands, activities, performances and...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [4 August 2008]
The CLA Game Fair - Day 3
What a scorcher !!
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [29 July 2008]
The CLA Game Fair: Day 2
Absolutely humming !
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [27 July 2008]
The 50th Anniversary CLA Game Fair - Day 1
What to do and not to do.......
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [25 July 2008]
The 50th Anniversary CLA Game Fair - Day 1
What to do and not to do.......
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [25 July 2008]
 Bad news for Brock
The decision by the Secretary of State not to address the problem of Bovine TB in cattle has stunned farmers, vets and country people alike. The sad truth is that it will be many years before a reliable vaccine is available for treating cattle and even...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [18 July 2008]
Straw houses
I chaired an interesting conference in London last week on the subject of land values. The speakers were a mixture of land agents, valuers, accountants, bankers and rural business practitioners. It was a thought provoking occasion.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [2 July 2008]
 A Load of Hot Air!
Last week Prof Allan Buckwell, the CLA’s Director of Policy and I met the Chairman of the Climate Change Committee (CCC), Lord Adair Turner. This committee was set up to advise the government on targets for green house gas (GHG) emission...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [1 July 2008]
Just Ask at this year's Game Fair
Promoting local food to all of us
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [27 June 2008]
Summer Snaps
The CLA held its annual summer reception in Belgrave Sq on Wednesday. The purpose of the evening is to thank a whole range of organisations and individuals that we communicate with during the year for opening their doors to us and sharing their views on...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [23 June 2008]
 Confidence returns – but with caution
Cereals at Leadenham in Lincolnshire was packed with farmers this year. The weather was fine but breezy, perfect for going to look at shiny new tackle – no chance of spraying back on the farm under those conditions.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [13 June 2008]
Live at the South of England Show.......well almost
A Day for All the Family
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [11 June 2008]
 Credit where credit’s due
Last week Natural England (NE) launched its first State of the Natural Environment Report, a weighty, one-inch-thick, full colour tome we are assured was produced using 75 percent recycled fibre. I have to say that it is a well designed and very informed...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [11 June 2008]
Letting the train take the strain......
Just Ask and the Regions
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [30 May 2008]
 A watching brief on Scottish Land reform heading South
There was an excellent turnout of Friends of the Countryside (FOC) – Meta (European) at the 11th Annual Congress held in Scotland last weekend.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [27 May 2008]
 All of a Twitcher
May sees the start of the Branch AGM season. The CLA Officers do their best between them to attend every AGM to which they are invited.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [21 May 2008]
Plans in the Pipeline
Richard – when you wrote that the broken building pictured in the latest Historic Houses magazine was now a thriving “soap” factory I was intrigued to find out more. Little did I know that the barn is home to a children’s craft...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [20 May 2008]
Life on Mars
After floating through cyberspace, Major Tom seems to have landed on Mars! (see past entries for details of my lonely start in the Blogosphere).
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [16 May 2008]
Should we fine restaurants for "unseasonal" produce ?
Buying Local Produce is not politically incorrect
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [14 May 2008]
 CALM – the Moo-vie and the Duelling Presidents!
On a glorious Friday afternoon last week, I spent an interesting two hours going round our dairy and beef farm with Maya Herbolzheimer of Farming Futures, accompanied by a TV crew, looking for areas of activity where we might improve our carbon balance....
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [14 May 2008]
Cyberspace Odyssey
I was beginning to think I was floating in cyberspace all alone like pop star David Bowie’s famous Major Tom in outer space!
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [8 May 2008]
A Spanner in the Works?
How many times have you found yourself muttering into your newspaper or shouting at the television in protest over the latest issue to affect farmers and land managers? Wouldn’t it be great if your thoughts could reach a wider audience?
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [7 May 2008]
 Blackpool Rocks
I woke up on Saturday morning to the shrill sound of seagulls, the clang of trams and that unmistakeable, slightly pungent pong of vinegar wafting through the bedroom window from Friday night’s cod and chips - where else but Blackpool.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [6 May 2008]
"Illegal and totally irresponsible"
BBC food investigation reinforces the need to 'Just Ask'
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [2 May 2008]
Why I want to fire all the Apprentices !
Be careful who you let in to help with your business
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [29 April 2008]
 Best of the West
I have just returned from an over night trip to Cornwall to attend a St George’s Day breakfast (although being Cornwall, St George remained anonymous!) where we treated to a wonderful menu of Gwavas Jersey Farm Cornish yoghurt, Ortons local hand...
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [24 April 2008]
Hold the line!
I made an enjoyable trip to Norfolk on Tuesday 15 April to meet CLA members and prospective CLA members at Sir Sam and Lady Roberts’ beautiful estate at Cockley Cley on the edge of Thetford Forest.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [24 April 2008]
When 23 April is St George's Day......and isn't
"Cry God for Harry, England and St George"!
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [22 April 2008]
 The past looks to the future
Jonathan Thompson - the CLA’s Heritage Advisor – and I had a useful meeting on Wednesday (9 April) with Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage (EH).
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [17 April 2008]
Success is in the response
What answer do you get when you 'Just Ask' ?
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [15 April 2008]
Future Challenges
On 8 April I attended an interesting seminar at Great Butchers’ Hall organised by Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) on the subject of food security and animal health.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [11 April 2008]
 Welcome to my first entry in the CLA President’s Blog!
I have wanted to write a blog since becoming President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) last November – so it’s great to have finally got it up and running.
[Blogs/President's Blog - Henry Aubrey-Fletcher] - [9 April 2008]
Hitting the ground running......
How the CLA Just Ask campaign has taken off
[Blogs/Just Ask] - [8 April 2008]
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